From the incomparable William Steig ("Shrek!") comes a story that proves even a fox can be out-foxed by a clever mouse.

"Doctor De Soto, the dentist, did very good work. With the aid of his able assistant, Mrs. De Soto, he copes with the toothaches of animals large and small. His expertise is so great that his fortunate patients never feel any pain."

Since he’s a mouse, Doctor De Soto refuses to treat “dangerous” animals—that is, animals who have a taste for mice. But one day a fox shows up and begs for relief from the tooth that's killing him. How can the kindhearted De Sotos turn him away? But how can they make sure that the fox doesn’t give in to his baser instincts once his tooth is fixed? Those clever De Sotos will find a way

“Doctor De Soto is a mouse dentist who . . . operates a clinic open to all except animals threatening to mice. What to do, then, when a weeping and wailing fox shows up for treatment? . . . There is great wit and good fun in the illustrations.”—Booklist, Starred Review

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

William Steig was born in New York City in 1907. In a family where every member was involved in the arts, it was not surprising that Steig became an artist. After public school he went to City College and attended the National Academy of Design.

In 1930, Steig's work began appearing in The New Yorker, where his drawings have been a popular fixture ever since. He published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968, embarking on a new and very different career.

Steig's books reflect his conviction that children want the security of a devoted family and friends. When Sylvester, Farmer Palmer, Abel, Pearl, Gorky, Solomon, and Irene eventually get home, their families are all waiting, and beginning with Amos and Boris, friendship is celebrated in story after story.

In 1970, Steig received the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. His books for children also include The Amazing Bone, a Caldecott Honor Book; and Abel's Island and Doctor De Soto, both Newbery Honor Books. Other awards and honors which Steig's books have received are the Christopher Award (Dominic), the Irma Simonton Black Award (Gorky Rises), the William Allen White Children's Book Award (Dominic), and the American Book Award (Doctor De Soto, co-winner). His European awards include the Premio di Letteratura per l'infanzia (Italy) for The Real Thief, the Silver Pencil Award (the Netherlands) for Abel's Island, and the Prix de la Fondation de France for Dominic. On the basis of his entire body of work, Steig was selected as the 1982 U.S. candidate for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Illustration and subsequently as the 1988 U.S. candidate for Writing.

Beginning with About People in 1939, William Steig has published thirteen collections of drawings for adults, among them The Lonely Ones, Male/Female, The Agony in the Kindergarten, and, in 1990, Our Miserable Life. His most recent books published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux are Shrek! (released by DreamWorks as a major motion picture) and Wizzil, illustrated by Quentin Blake. School Library Journal named Shrek! a Best Book of 1990 and said of it, "Steig's inimitable wit and artistic dash have never been sharper or more expertly blended."

MY REVIEW:DOCTOR DE SOTO by William Steig is a long standing, well loved children’s story. I was fortunate enough to review a new offering by Macmillan Audio in which this award winning story comes in a set with the book and the audio book (CD). What a treat to not only be able to revisit Steig’s story of the wonderful mouse dentist but to hear it read by award winning actor Stanley Tucci. The audio even chimes so little ones will know when to turn the page. It allows them to follow along with ease and fun.

The story in case you don’t know it is about Doctor De Soto, a mouse who is a dentist and his wife, who is his assistant. He runs a practice where he treats animals for their dental needs. However, being a mouse and one with strong convictions, De Soto refuses not only for safety but on principal to treat animals who are dangerous and might try and eat him.

One day, however, a well dressed fox comes to the door and he is in terrible pain. The fox pleads for help and Doctor De Soto gives in and treats him. He finds the fox has a tooth that needs to be pulled in order to take away the pain. Doctor De Soto explains that he can have a new tooth ready to put in by tomorrow. The fox agrees but even as Doctor De Soto is starting to give him gas for the procedure, standing on his tongue, the taste of the mouse is so tempting to the ungrateful fox that he thinks about eating him and his wife upon returning the next day.

SPOILER ALERT! After a fretful night worrying about if the fox will be a danger to them, the doctor comes up with a plan. Doctor De Soto tells the fox he has something new he can apply that will give him a lifetime free of pain for his teeth. The fox agrees, planning on a tasty meal following his new tooth being inserted, and the dentist proceeds. Upon completion, the fox realizes he can’t open his mouth. Doctor De Soto tells the fox his jaw won’t be able to be opened for a couple of days while the treatment takes effect. Thus, the little mouse dentist did his good deed safely and outfoxed the fox!

William Steig’s work is as good as ever as he not only writes the book, but is the artist as well. His marvelous watercolor characters seem to float on each page with their sparse white background which allows the eyes to focus on the character and their expressions.

The story may seem rather simple, but really has deeper meaning as it shows how we can help one another, even if we may be enemies of sorts, by being clever and avoiding violence. A lesson is something Steig has in all his books. Add to that his use of vocabulary that enriches children while also keeping their full attention and it’s easy to see why he has won so many awards and fans! Like all his books, DOCTOR DE SOTO is visually lovely while also having traditional qualities and happy endings. With the added treat of Stanley Tucci’s narration in which he does a perfect job with each character so that they come to life, this Audio Set is sure to be a favorite in your home and one that will be listened to again and again. I listened first without the book and then again following along and enjoyed it both ways. Which do you think you will like the most?

GIVEAWAYTHANKS TO STEPHANIE AND THE GOOD

FOLKS AT MACMILLAN AUDIO BOOKS,
I HAVE THREE COPIES OF THIS

BOOK AND AUDIO BOOK, TO
BE GIVEN AWAY TO 3 WINNERS!

--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRYHOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT DOCTOR DE SOTO THAT WOULD MAKE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS AUDIO CD AND BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY:BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY +1 MORE ENTRY:COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CHILDREN'S BOOK THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO LISTEN TO AS AN AUDIO BOOK

This book is very timely in many ways. I like what Alexander stated, "This Doctor needs to be exposed." I recently had a very bad experience with a fill in doctor that was covering for my regular doctor. Wow ... what to next. Yesterday, I found two sites that you can give feedback on your doctor ... guess what there were a number of complaints about this same doctor. I did not look up mouse dentist or even if the Fox filled out an complaint. LOL

Sorry for being a bit off subject, but it really became emotional on my end. Now for the book I would love to add my name to list as I would enjoy the audio book and take the opportunity to share this with my grandson.

Many years ago I seen a movie with my mother and father called "Old Yeller." I would think that this book would be a great audio book. I checked and sure enough it is available in audio form.

The fact that it's about a dentist who manages to keep his patients from feeling any pain sells it for me. My granddaughter has never been to a dentist but she is just sure that it's the awfullest thing that could ever happen to her.

Oh my! I am having dental work done now and could use Dr DeSoto! but, best of all is the fact that he and the Mrs. out-foxed the fox. My Grandchildren would love for me to share this audio and book with them I have 3 that are under the age of 8 and this would be something they would like. I am excited about having a chance to win this for me and them. lol